Chargers streak halted at Northwood

Thursday

Apr 25, 2013 at 9:00 AM

By Ed Patinoed.patino@hillsdale.netMIDLAND — After being held in check in the first game, the Hillsdale College softball team nearly made a big rally to salvage the nightcap.The Northwood University Timberwolves had other ideas.Five runs in the top of the seventh inning propelled Northwood to a 12-6 victory over the Chargers in the second game of a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader Wednesday at Fisher Stadium. Despite having nine hits, Hillsdale was shut out by the Timberwolves in a 4-0 loss in the opener.Hillsdale (10-16, 9-10 GLIAC) had its eight-game win streak ended. The Chargers remained tied for the eighth and final GLIAC Tournament spot with Tiffin. The Dragons hold the tiebreaker, having swept Hillsdale in a doubleheader earlier this season.In the nightcap, Northwood (25-14, 15-5 GLIAC) plated two runs in the first inning and three more in the top of the third to build a 5-0 lead. The Chargers answered in the bottom half of the frame as Katie Ardrey's RBI single scored Taylor Schulty, then Kate Hoop brought home Sarah Grunert with a single. Later in the frame, Jessica Day's single scored Hoop, making it 5-3.Lindsey Obremski hit a RBI single that scored Rachel Hammer in the top of the fourth, putting the Timberwolves back up by three, but Hillsdale quickly answered in the bottom of the inning. Schulty belted a two-run home run over the left field fence, making it 6-5. Schulty moved into sole possession of second place on Hillsdale College's career home runs list with her 19th career homer.In the bottom of the fifth inning, Ainsley Ellison's RBI double plated Hoop, pulling the Chargers into a 6-6 tie.Northwood regained the lead in the top of the sixth as Obremski doubled home Marisa Borkowski. The Timberwolves pulled away with their five-run burst in the seventh.Schulty finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored to lead the Chargers. Grunert went 3-for-4 with a run, while Hoop was 2-for-2 with a RBI and two runs. Ardrey was charged with the pitching loss, allowing 11 runs (eight earned) on 12 hits while striking out three and walking six in 4 1/3 innings.Hammer was 4-for-5 with four runs scored to lead Northwood. Obremski went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a run, while Borkowski was 1-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs. Jessica Tostrud finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Tostrud also earned the win in relief, pitching 1 1/3 innings.The Chargers stranded 11 runners on base in the opener. Their best chance came in the top of the fifth when they loaded the bases, but strong defensive plays by the Timberwolves ended the threat.Northwood grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning as Stacey Klonowksi scored on Hammer's fielder's choice and Tostrud scored on a throwing error. The Timberwolves added runs in the second and third inning before holding off the Chargers.Miriam McKay and Grunert were both 2-for-4 at the plate to lead the Chargers. Courtney Day, Jenny Bals, Ellison, Schulty and Ardrey each collected a hit. Grunert took the loss in the circle, allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits in six innings.Klonowski went 2-for-4 with a RBI and run scored for Northwood. Maddison Sebald scattered nine hits and struck out four for the pitching win.The Chargers will visit GLIAC leader Grand Valley State on Friday.